WHAT'S SWAG GOT TO DO WITH IT - EVERYTHING!

The upcoming My Favorite Things holiday event is less than 2 weeks away! Here is an update on what all to expect:

Fabulous Door Prizes
Ferragamo sunglasses from Schaeffer
Designer dress from Swank
Hunter Dixon dress from Laura Kathryn
Spanx package from Lara
Juicy Couture dress from Saks
Kai Perfume from Theadora
Marie Chavez jewelry from Theadora
Rebecca Taylor tights from Theadora
Metallic Gold Clutch from Theadora
Vera Wang skincare package from Saks
Kai Handbag from Marella
Benefits Cosmetic package from Belk
Oscar de la Renta pjs
Verizon Wireless Blackberry Pearl
Gift Certificate to Emma's and intimate apparel package
Summit Gift Certificate
Bella Bridesmaid Gift Certificate
Fashion Art from Naked Art Gallery
Southern Beauty Magazine package with Aveda, Bliss, Trish McEvoy
Jewelry from Francesca's Collection
Low Country Luxe Decadent Candle Package
and more!

Fabulous Swag Bags for Scoopette Card holders!!!
Bumble and Bumble products
Hair Reflections Gift Cards
L'Occitane samples
Designer business card holders by Nadia Kidd
Handmade fashion ornaments by Olaria Studio
Cosmetics from Belk
Red Bull
and more!

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Enjoy an evening of 'A Few of Our Favorite Things', catering from The Wine Loft, Tiffany Box baby bites and designer cookies by Pastry Art served by the Scoopettes. Complimentary Berry Merry Cocktails and champagne for the 1st hour.

Donations of new unwrapped children's clothes and monetary donations will be taken for The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program.

Interested in being a Scoopette Card holder so you can get your swag bag and incredible discounts just in the 'Saint Nick' of time for the holidays - click here.

Click on the invitation below. You must RSVP because space is limited- Happy Holidays!

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember My Favorite Things and then I don't feel so bad!"
- Julie Andrews, The Sound of The Music

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE THINGS

What I Want For Christmas...
by Jessica Vance, Assistant to the Publisher and Marketing Extraordinaire

Richmond Leather low-heel boots from J. Crew…perfect for the winter season over jeans. $295










This is supposed to be the best way to learn a language fast and that is exactly what I need to do since I am going to Italy in February and Milan Fashion Week! $209








I would love a new addition to my pea coat collection preferably in a green color, but I love the style of this Marc by Marc Jacobs number. I found this at Saks Fifth Avenue for $548








Tiffany Circlet Earrings $3,200. I have had my eyes on some earrings like this for a while!




Call me crazy, but every girl has her sweet spot and mine is for a little place in Auburn called The Caramel Apple Co. and this teaser pack has what I love- caramel apples! Oh, and they ship anywhere in the US if anyone is interested! $28.95 www.caramelapplegifts.com

SCOOP THIS!

- Tonight Barton Clay's Eleganza 3-8pm featuring stunning timepieces, designer jewelry, and fashion by Jane Simon and Swank. Enjoy a silent auction with items from John Hardy, Rolex, Chad Allison, and more! Catering by B&A Warehouse. Barton Clay in Mountain Brook Village.

- Through November 30 Holiday sale at Lara with fantastic designers at great prices. Lara at Patton Creek

- November 30 6-9pm $199 Art Sale at Nordys Gallery with amazing paintings, jewelry, boxes, handmade frames & unique gifts from artists like WJ Cunningham, Darrell Ezekiel, Karen Jacobs, and more. Nordys Gallery near Pepper Place off 3rd Avenue South.

- Going on NOW at DIOR - 40% off Dior handbags and boots! Dior at Saks Fifth Avenue.

- Going on NOW Louboutin, Fendi, Miu Miu and more on sale at incredible prices at Saks Fifth Avenue.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR STRUTTING

From cold mornings to warm afternoons, there is one sure way to adapt to fall's indecisive weather. Choose a fantastic pair of tall boots. Wear them with tights, mini dresses, over jeans, or just throw them on with a sweater dress. Whatever you do show them off, because these boots are not just made for walking, they need flaunting too!

Seychelles Ms. Fix-It Boots in Black $170, Manhattan South in Cahaba Village next to Whole Foods





Bronx Solar $179, Shoefly in Homewood












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Jessica Simpson Sachet $135, Shoefly in Homewood






Frye Paige Tall Boot $344, Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village








Kors Michael Kors tall riding boot in brown On Sale $275.90 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit, or the brand can be found at Gus Mayer at Colonial Brookwood Village.

MY TOP 5 FAVORITE THINGS

In getting ready for a stylish holiday season, My Scoop's contributors put together their top 5 wishes for the holiday season. Soon you will be able to create your own My Scoop Wish List at http://www.myscoop.us/. You can create Christmas lists and birthday lists to send to your family, friends, and significant others.

Here is graphic designer Courtney Gleysteen's top 5 favorite things on her holiday wish list!

1) Chanel sunglasses- Saks Fifth Avenue, $325

2) David Yurman Blue Topaz Cushion Capri earrings- Neiman Marcus, $975

3) Michael Kors Michael Kors perfume, Saks Fifth Avenue, $75

4) Le Creuset 10” square grill pan Williams-Sonoma, $100

5) Tables of Content Jr League Cookbook, $30










Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit Advertisement Announcing Prada

SCOOPETTE CLUB CARD NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Just in the 'Saint Nick' of time for holiday shopping: The Scoopette Club Card! Thank you to everyone who inquired about the Scoopette Card and to all of those who just had to have their Scoopette Card asap!
You have 2 options for purchasing your card:
1) Purchase online by clicking here or on the site link
2) Mail check to 5205 Cottage Circle Birmingham, AL 35226
Allow 1-2 weeks for processing. Now all readers will soon have this fabulous card!

For only $30 this annual card will be your shopping passport to great style. Just imagine that dress you saw at Doree that you love being 20% off, a pair of shoes from Shoezy Q at a fab discount, getting $25 off your $100 or more purchase at Gus Mayer, or booking a spa appointment at Richard Joseph for 20% off. Enjoy these discounts and more at Southern fashionista favorites like:

Gus Mayer
Marella
Doree
Swank 35223
Mia Moda
Lara at Patton Creek
Emma's at Lee Branch
Bella Bridesmaid
Shoezy Q
Olaria Studio
Richard Joseph Salon
Generation Dog
Aware Cosmetics
Magnolia Marketplace (Huntsville boutique)
Hair Reflections
Coastal Couture (Gulf Shores boutique)
Alabama Ballet
B.Vintage (Huntsville boutique)
and more!!!

Scoopettes also receive invitations to exclusive events, swag bags at events, and special opportunities to win fabulous shopping trips! Email myscoopmedia@yahoo.com with any questions and make sure to sign up for our email newsletters (top left corner) so you are getting The Scoop!


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DRESSING FOR THANKSGIVING

Ever since I can remember I dressed up for the holidays. As a young girl my mom encouraged me to wear cute skirts and sweaters, never just jeans. It was an occasion, just like going to church, and I needed to dress special to make it more momentous than just any regular day. So this thought of dressing up was ingrained in me. I remember in the early nineties wearing stirrup patterned leggings and an Irish wool sweater my mom had bought me in Ireland to Thanksgiving dinner. My senior year in high school- knee highs, a corduroy skirt, and 3/4 sleeve turtleneck sweater. One Thanksgiving in college my grandmother bought me a darling red pea coat - I wore it everywhere that season. When my now husband and I first started dating and I also began visiting his family for the holidays, I asked what should I wear? His reply, what do you mean for Thanksgiving? To me any special day deserves a special attire and of course these days jeans are quite different than they were 10 years ago - a great pair of designer jeans, cute sweater, and chic shoes are perfectly acceptable. However with dresses not being 'too dressy' it is also easy to throw on a sweater dress and leggings or tunic, opaque tights and boots.
Here are some great choices for 'dressing' for Thanksgiving. Count your blessings and give thanks in style.

Milly Kaleidoscope silk twill dress. Milly can be found at Marella in Mountain Brook Village.







Vince cashmere sweater dress $290 Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.






Saks Fifth Avenue Advertisement Saturdays at Saks


Since chill may be factor this turkey day layer this over a turtleneck. Harvest Tunic $48 Francesca's Collection at The Summit.







Orion of London goldfish tunic dress $148- layer, layer, layer! Pair this with a black turtleneck, black leggings, and shoe booties for the perfect fall look, Swank 35223 in Mountain Brook Village.







Diane von Furstenberg geometric tunic dress on sale today $315 at Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit.


Noteworthy: Saks is having a huge designer sale TODAY visit the store or online at www.saks.com!

THE ANKLE BOOT: TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR

by Bradford Bankhead

All fall I have been back and forth and back and forth about the ankle boot. I am not going to lie to you, when I first saw the boot it brought back painful flashbacks of my Sam and Libby
ankle cowboy boot a la Jessie Spano from Saved by the Bell (you know you had a crush on Zack). Clearly, my fashion sense is something that I put time and effort into and was not something that I was born with. But I digress, back to the boot question about to purchase or not to purchase. I figured, why not (shocking I know)? Frankly, if all else fails and I look as silly as I feared I might then I can just wear them with jeans and no one has to know that they
stop at the ankle.
I must tell you, before I went shopping I did some looking on the internet to see just exactly how this boot was supposed to be worn. What I found was you can wear them with anything: skirts, tights, leggings, pants, the whole bit. For the most part they can function and update the stuff you already have in your closet (which is a huge plus for me).
However, if I am giving that much responsibility to a pair of shoes (that is to make me look stylish, sophisticated and utterly fashionable all at the same time) then I need the shoes to be
fairly unique. So the basic black will not due for me. In order to test this out, I put on my leggings and a mini-dress (that way I can check the boots out with leggings and a dress and bare legs) because what looks good on the internet does NOT always look so hot on me.
Today I have an accomplice in my search, my friend Stacy who is in from out of town. She has been to The Summit but never to the Galleria so off we go. First stop Belk, the selection was okay, as I said, if you are going to rock the ankle boot you it must make a statement. In the shoe department I found a lot of Jessica Simpson (who by the look of all her purple patent leather is getting her inspiration from strippers these days), Rampage, and some miscellaneous brands that I had never really heard of, but nothing that was 'exactly' what I was looking for. Stacy and I ventured out further into the Galleria.
Our next stop was Nine West, who always has cute stuff and I did find a precious gray suede round toe boot that I liked a lot but was not ready to settle after such a sort search. Our next stop was Macy's which has the MOST RANDOM shoe department I have ever been in. They had everything from Unisa to Kors by Michael Kors,we were most overwhelmed by (and a little bit afraid of) the chaos and made a quick exit. But not before spying a darling pair of Kors silver snakeskin boots that for sure made a statement. (I am just not sure what it was saying.) Tired and bootless we make our exit.
Not to be defeated, off we headed to Brookwood. Were I went into Gus Mayer and found a lovely pair of brown suede Prada boots which were more of an investment than I was willing to make in such a trendy item (Sex in the City was a show people I have a budget). As we had put a huge dent in the afternoon by this point, Stacy and I decided to make one last stop at Betsy Prince before we bid farewell. We walked in and there they were (insert chorus of angels singing AAHHH), beautiful soft suede gray, reasonably priced, stylish and sassy Me Too boots.
They were EXACTLY what I had been looking for!! I sort of had a thing for the grey color after seeing the Nine West boots, and these had a little style that I had not seen on any other pair, they fold over at the top so cute!! Stacy agreed so as of today I am officially the new
owner of ankle boots, Jessie Spano, eat your heart out!

Saks Fifth Avenue at The Summit Announcing Jo Malone

GLAM BEAUTY WISHES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

It's that time of the year when you'll receive lots of invitations to attend holiday affairs, so here is a quick guide on what look you can do for the specific occasion.

Drinks at the bar with friends- keep it casual, 2-3 coats of mascara,
a hint of blush and lots of lip gloss. Gloss attracts men, it makes you look kissable-smile.

Cocktail Party- recreate the #1 fall beauty trend look, black liner close to the lash line with a deep, rich lip color, it will make you look very hip and festive. (Carrie Underwood shows us a great holiday cocktail look.)

Office Gathering- classic,daytime, professional look, remember you're still at work with your
peers and boss, always make a good impression in front of them.

Gala Affair- all out drama, smoky eyes with a nude mouth will make a bold statement, all eyes will be on you.

Stay beautilicious!
Jestina

Pro Makeup Artist
AWARE Cosmetics & Makeup Services
http://www.awarecosmetics.com/

SAVVY GIRL'S GUIDE TO THANKSGIVING DINNER

Make your Thanksgiving anything but humdrum. Whether you are hosting your own dinner with family or friends or you are playing guest, come equipped with fashionable trimmings for your holiday feast.





Jessie Steele vintage aprons are created by a mother/daughter duo that are the most fashionable choice for veteran chefs or beginning bakers $35 and can be monogrammed Weddings Etc in Homewood.





Who says Thanksgiving has to be traditional Pilgrim fare? Give your dinner an Italian flare with butternut squash lasagna and ciabatta stuffing. Make Thanksgiving a family affair with everyone adding something to the dinner, instead of a one woman show. Giada's Family Dinners $36 Books a Million or Barnes and Nobles.



Whether you are playing host or guest, you can utilize this fabulous heart-shaped Le Creuset cast iron pot for making a sweet potato casserole. Le Creuset can be found at Williams-Sonoma or Tria Market.




With Martha Stewart's expansive new line at Macy's, any savvy chef should check it out. This turkey set including baster, thermometer, gravy separator will get you on your way to a delicious bird $19.99. Macy's at Riverchase Galleria.








Every stylish host needs a centerpiece. These colorful bud vases with just single stem flowers or berries will add that fashionista flare to your table. Redenvelope.com








Little darling stir it up with these pretty in pink spatulas and spoonulas, small spatula starting at $7 and up Williams-Sonoma.







Don't forget the vino! Riedel 'O' stemless wine glasses make sipping chic $45 and up set of 4. Riedel can be found at Barton-Clay Jewelers in Mountain Brook Village and Bromberg's.


Of course no hostess will turn down a great bottle of wine, but thinking inside the box these truffles from Crave Chocolate make for a sweet treat $6.95 for 6 and up Crave Chocolate at Patton Creek.

WINDOW SHOPPING

It's the holiday season and although many fly to New York this time of year and get to browse the incredible window displays, we have some pretty posh ones right here in Sweet Home!

Emily Dees at Swank really outdid herself with one of this most original and fun window display. The perfect fashionista tree! She used a bustle to create the tree around the mannequin and then wrapped garland around the bustle.


Marella's display is oh-so posh. Love the silver and black!

Also check out chic New York store windows at Modelizing!
Are you a retailer with a fab holiday display or a reader who has spied an impeccable window while out and about? If so email a photo to My Scoop at myscoopmedia@yahoo.com we will post the best images.

ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE TO YOUR WARDROBE

Tis' the season to add a little shimmer and shine to your wardrobe. Whether you are looking for an all out sparkling outfit or just want a little umph to your everyday attire, here are items that can add a little glitz or all out glam.

Brynn Isom dress with gorgeous silk charmeuse coral bodice and shimmer skirt at Swank 35223 in Mountain Brook Village.








Molly New York Dia Long Sleeve Dress $198, Erika Pena Olga Cuff $245, Heather Hawkins Clutch $230, Jami Rodriquez Necklace $79 at Manhattan South in Cahaba Village Center next to Whole Foods.




Me Too Nolano Flats $89 Shoefly in Homewood.










This Silver clutch is a must have $56 Lara at Patton Creek.










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Yoana Baraschi Top with embellishments Marella in Mountain Brook Village.













French Connection sequin skirt Laura Kathryn in Crestline Village.







Roberto Coin Diamond Chain with diamonds strategically placed on the white gold chain. You can wear this piece with a white button down and jeans or with cocktail attire. It also is great for layering $1520 Bromberg's at The Summit.

MY FAVORITE THINGS HOLIDAY AFFAIR

"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember My Favorite Things and then I don't feel so bad!"
- Julie Andrews, The Sound of The Music